draconian - 1-17-2004 at 11:27 AM
From Westword.com:
Critic's Choice
Ima Robot
BY JOHN LA BRIOLA
feedback@westword.com
"Had George Orwell lived long enough to see 1984, he might have thought bands like Spandau Ballet were a more terrifying prospect than Big
Brother. Then again, Orwell hailed from the same merry olde land that introduced the world to T. Rex, Gary Glitter, Slade and Bowie's shrill
alter ego, Ziggy Stardust -- four major influences on the synthetic '80s-era sound of smog-choked Los Angeles. You know, back when Reagonomics
and atrocious haircuts were considered bitchin'. Trampling new wave roses in the name of yesteryear, Ima Robot, who performs an all-ages show
Wednesday, January 21, with Magic Cyclops and Black Black Ocean at the Larimer Lounge, deserves every bit of criticism it gets for being another flock
of derivative seagulls. But give the shameless Hollywood five-piece credit for honing its amusing sonic assault with a chameleonesque twist of punk,
electro-pop, funk and garage rawk. Boasting a crack rhythm section (bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen and drummer Joey Waronker have both played
supporting roles to Beck, Mars Volta and the Vines, among other notables), the band is anchored by visually outrageous frontman Alex Ebert: a hyper,
rail-thin, gold-slippered goofball who's living proof that mullet irony is alive and kicking. Cynical and sleazy, Ebert reserves his poetic
pretensions for love, war, mathematics, girls who drive black Jettas, and the molecular breakdown of carbon-based life itself ("Just dust from
the earth/And some heavenly puke for the glue," he sings on a stirring ballad called "What Are We Made From?"
. Poised for blastoff with a radio-ready sound, a self-titled debut on major label
Virgin and MTV exposure from a video directed by Francis Ford Coppola's nephew, the Robot celebrates a message less disturbing than its
messengers. It's almost enough to pull a safety dance on Orwell's grave."
draconian - 1-19-2004 at 01:35 PM
Here's another one, this from kaffeinebuzz.com:
Ima Robot, Black Black Ocean, The Swayback – Wednesday, January 21 - Larimer Lounge - Denver
"If CDs like The Faint, Hot Hot Heat, and Interpol are sliding around in the back seat of your Honda, then drive your hipster ass on down to one
of Denver’s local music hangouts, Larimer Lounge on Tuesday night to check out new wave/art punk brothers, Ima Robot. This gleaming group of guys fill
the skies with a glorious fireworks display of blasting keyboard beats and guitar licks that both beckon back to Ziggy Stardust and forward into the
future. If this show took place in the Spring, it would do well to take it outside to the back patio. The performance antics of lead vocalist, Alex
Ebert alone will set the stage aflame. Within the confines of the Lounge, you best get there early. Add Swayback and BBO to the mix, and you’ve got
yourself a sweaty, swanky, saucy party Will Robinson."
Goulet - 1-21-2004 at 05:28 PM
I'm leaving for the show in under an hour.
draconian - 1-21-2004 at 06:02 PM
Grab a setlist!
MichelleRene - 1-22-2004 at 06:36 AM
Goulet, how was the show?????Any pic's to post?
Goulet - 1-25-2004 at 06:02 PM
THe show was fantabulous. I can't imagine how it could have been any better. I don't have any pics, but I got a signed setlist.
Song #1
Dirty Life
A is for Action
Alive
STD Dance
Dynomite
Lets Talk Turkey
Black Jettas
Scream
Philosophee
Ages of Ruin
12=3
Here come the Bombs
They were hangin out after the show and I got them to sign my setlist. The show was amazing. They had so much energy and the crowd was so excited to
be there. I wasn't the only person who had the entire setlist memorized. Them and David Bowie two nights earlier were some of the best shows of
my life, and I've seen over 50 bands live.